Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-10-01

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] ENDURANCE AND DISCONTENT

[02] VARTHOLOMEOS RETURNED THE LIST

[03] SUIT AGAINST AGRICULTURALISTS

[04] SIMITIS: PENSION INCREASES

[05] YIANNITSIS' VISIT TO CROATIA

[06] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[07] PROTOPAPAS: NO 17N ACTIVITY

[08] PROTOPAPAS ON MILLER'S LETTER TO PAPANDREOU

[09] UNEMPLOYMENT AT 8.8% IN THE EURO-ZONE

[10] NEWCOMER ORGANIZATION CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY

[11] THE GREEK CULTURE MINISTER ADDRESSED UNESCO

[01] ENDURANCE AND DISCONTENT

The increases given to civil servants and pensioners

based on the 2005 budget touches the on the end of the

Greek economy's endurance, said Minister of Finance

Nikos Christodoulakis. The Union of Civil Servants

seems disappointed and has not ruled out mobilization.

Teachers are insisting on their strike next week.

Harsh criticism from the Coalition and DIKKI. The

social budget has risen to more than the community

average, and covers 27.1%, while 10 years ago it was

18%.

[02] VARTHOLOMEOS RETURNED THE LIST

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos returned the list of

candidates for the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki to

the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, refusing to

accept it as a means of information in violation of

the Patriarchal Act of 1928, which foresaw the

approval of the list of candidates for new countries.

In response, Archbishop Christodoulos called the

Hierarchy to take a position on the issue.

[03] SUIT AGAINST AGRICULTURALISTS

The strike of civil agriculturalists and veterinarians will continue until Monday, October 6 at least, when the suit filed by the Ministry of Agriculture asking that the strike be found illegal will be tried. The Minister of Agriculture Giorgos Drys stated that the agriculturalists and veterinarians have not

officially called a strike, and that is why there is not security personnel staff. Deputy Minister of Development Kimon Koulouris mentioned: "The extended strike of the veterinarians can only be excessive. No one should be allowed to use consumers as victims and hostages". Μeanwhile, the strike has caused shortages and price

increases in food market of Northern Greece. The continuing strike has caused all slaughterhouses in the country to cease functioning, while all imports and exports of animal and vegetable goods have frozen. The lack in food has caused prices to rise, while the main force of the blow was taken by farmers and fruit, vegetable, meat and poultry exporters, who made mention of immense damages, and fiscal clauses they will be forced to pay to companies abroad since their products did not get there on time. Βutcher shops and grocery stores in Thessaloniki are

unable to secure produce and warned that if the mobilizations continue, they will be forced to close

their shops.

[04] SIMITIS: PENSION INCREASES

Significant increases in pensions, much greater than those of the employed and civil servants, were promised by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, during his speech at the center for the elderly in Agia Varvara. Mr.Simitis visited the center in view of the Day of the Elderly and presented the government's actions in favor of the elderly, which have been part of his policy so far, as well as the program for the next four years (2004-2008). The elderly must not be marginalized by society, said the Prime Minister. He mentioned the "Help at Home" program, which he noted is being applied to a satisfactory degree and is being extended. The Units will increase from 800 at the present to 1100 by the end of the year. The Prime Minister was warmly received by hundreds of elderly people at the center. He talked with them and listened to their requests.

[05] YIANNITSIS' VISIT TO CROATIA

Alternate Foreign Minister Tasos Yiannitsis will depart tomorrow for a two-day visit to Croatia. He will have talks with the country's Foreign Minister and the Alternate Foreign Minister. Mr. Yiannitsis will also be received by the Croatian President and the government Vice-President.

In the talks will be examined bilateral political and economic relations, the further development of cooperation in the tourist sector and the preparations for the visit of the Croatian President to Athens next month as well as Croatia's EU accession prospects.

[06] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.38% at 2.012,14 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 80.9 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 220 recorded losses and 90 had gains, while the value of 73 stocks remained unchanged.

[07] PROTOPAPAS: NO 17N ACTIVITY

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated that there is no activity by terrorist group 17 November and the recent bomb attacks should not be associated with it, stressing that the terrorist group in question is on trial.

Mr. Protopapas pointed out that there is a difference between combating terrorism and the activities of certain brainless and foolish individuals who want to state their presence through attacks with improvised explosive devices.

Mr. Protopapas reiterated that the police authorities are doing their job and proceed with all necessary investigations that will lead to the arrest of those responsible. He also pointed out that right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Parliament deputy Giorgos Voulgarakis, whose house was attacked, will continue to be guarded.

[08] PROTOPAPAS ON MILLER'S LETTER TO PAPANDREOU

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas confirmed today the information published by a newspaper concerning a letter by US Ambassador Thomas Miller to Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou on the prospects of the European security.

Mr. Protopapas stated that a similar letter has been sent to the rest European governments by the US Ambassadors in Europe. On the Greek position regarding the contents of the letter, Mr. Protopapas said that Greece has a clear policy on European security issues in accordance with relevant EU decisions.

[09] UNEMPLOYMENT AT 8.8% IN THE EURO-ZONE

Unemployment in August remained at 8.8%, the highest level of the past 3.5 years in the Euro-zone, according to the European Statistics Agency, Eurostat.

A total of 12.4 million people are unemployed, while based on a report by Dow Jones Newswires, economic analysts were expecting unemployment to reach 8.9%.

According to Eurostat, the highest percentage (11.4%) was recorded in Spain and the lowest (3.8%) in Luxembourg. It is pointed out that based on the revised figures of the European Statistics Agency, unemployment in the Euro-zone was at 8.8% in June and July.

[10] NEWCOMER ORGANIZATION CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY

The "Metamesonyktia Slalom" (Slalom After Midnight)

organization claimed responsibility for the attacks

that took place yesterday in the early morning hours

in several Athens areas. The organization left a declaration in a garbage can near the Eleftherotypia newspaper offices. The note, among other things, mentioned how the attacks were in support of the 7 youths that have been imprisoned for the events that took place during the protests against

the Summit Meeting that took place in Thessaloniki in June, while they also expressed their solidarity to the defendants in the "17 November" and "ELA" trials. The explosions were noted outside the homes of New Democracy MP Giorgos Voulgarakis, professor Giorgos Veltsos, as well as the offices of local New Democracy and PASOK organizations. Α few hours later, an incendiary device exploded outside the house of journalist Anna Panagiotarea.

[11] THE GREEK CULTURE MINISTER ADDRESSED UNESCO

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos presented Greece's foreign cultural policy positions addressing UNESCO's 32nd Session of the General Conference in Paris.

Mr. Venizelos backed the signing of an international treaty for the protection of intangible cultural heritage, raised the issue of the protection of war zone monuments, while he announced an initiative by the Cultural Olympiad and UNESCO for the protection, restoration and promotion of characteristic monuments at high risk regions around the world.

He also referred to the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and presented Greece's proposal to the British government and the British Museum.

On sports, he called for the promotion of UNESCO's international anti-doping treaty.

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